News

This tweak puts a white dot in the Status Bar when your LED flashlight is on

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated July 13, 2021

One of the things I really like about iOS and iPadOS is that a tiny colored dot manifests itself in the Status Bar when your handset’s camera or microphone activates. Not only is it a great way to be reminded that your hardware is being used in the background, but it also promotes privacy by ensuring you’re in the know whenever an app taps into your camera or microphone.

I can’t count on my own two hands the number of times I’ve witnessed someone who forgot their device’s flashlight on and failed to realize it either because they were out in the Sun or because the LED flash was being covered by something. Having said that, a similar Status Bar-centric indicator for the rear-facing LED flash could also benefit users.

Samsung reportedly starts production of 120Hz screens for iPhone 13 ahead of schedule

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 31, 2021

Apple suppliers Samsung and LG Display have reportedly kicked off production of OLED panels for the upcoming iPhone 13 family, with Samsung focused on the 120Hz ProMotion screens.

Jailbreak tweaks of the week: IAmLazy, Liddel, NetFence, & more…

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated March 31, 2023

If you’ve got a jailbroken iPhone or iPad at your disposal, then you’ve likely got an itch for finding and installing the latest and greatest jailbreak tweaks.

Fortunately for you, we’re back with a new edition of the jailbreak tweaks of the week, where we’ll be discussing all the latest releases and jailbreak-centric news in one easy-to-digest piece.

NetFence is an effective outgoing firewall for jailbroken iPhones & iPads

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated July 30, 2024

Most people view the internet as a powerful tool for accessing information in an instant, but advertising companies see it in just the same way — often utilizing the very internet connection you depend on for said information to track your every move and report back with personally identifiable statistics.

A firewall can help preserve your anonymity and privacy over the internet by giving you the distinct choice to allow or deny these connection requests. That’s just one reason why a newly released jailbreak tweak dubbed NetFence by iOS developer FoxfortMobile might be of interest to you.

No2Theft4 alerts iPhone owners to thieves, takes their photo, and sends location data to email or SMS

Anthony Bouchard ∙ May 29, 2021

Nobody likes it when their iPhone gets stolen, either by pranksters or actual thieves, and while Apple’s Find My app can certainly help you track it down, it’s limited in its feature-centric capacity.

iOS developer Elias Sfeir knows this, and that’s why he spent the time to make a popular jailbreak tweak known as No2Theft. Today, we’re excited to share that No2Theft4 — the fourth iteration of this handy anti-theft extension — is now available for all pwned iOS 12-14 devices.

Apple delays Podcast subscriptions until June

Evan Selleck ∙ May 28, 2021

Along with the launch of iOS 14.6 earlier this month, Apple was supposed to welcome subscriptions for podcasts.

But, it turns out there will be a bit of a delay before the feature actually goes live. As reported today by MacRumors, Apple has notified content creators that it is delaying the podcast subscription feature until sometime in June. The reason? Apple wants a good experience for everyone involved.

Apple reportedly put in a bid to buy the rap-battle series Verzuz

Evan Selleck ∙ May 28, 2021

Back in 2020, Apple Music and Beats 1 welcomed a new element to its listening library: Verzuz. It's a live-streaming event that pits two artists in a lyrical one-on-one battle.

At the time, the site, which launched initially on Instagram Live, was going to see a worthwhile time slot on Beats 1 while also still streaming on Facebook's Instagram platform. The first episode for Apple Music/Beats 1 premiered in mid-July of last year, and apparently it was a pretty successful launch. A new report says Apple was looking to outright acquire the rap-battle site.

A look at the Siri Remote’s new jog shuttle mechanism for easy scrubbing through video

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 28, 2021

There's been confusion regarding video scrubbing on an Apple TV using the revamped Siri Remote so here's a nice little video explainer showing you how to use Apple's new jog control.

New AirPods Pro will reportedly boost fitness tracking features, AirPods 3 coming later this year; new HomePods in development, no AirPods Max 2 in the works

Evan Selleck ∙ May 28, 2021

The rumor mill has been pumping out expectations for new AirPods and AirPods Pro for quite some time. But the new truly wireless headphones have yet to actually launch.

And while we're still waiting, we've got new reports to sift through. This time around it's from Bloomberg, with Mark Gurman aiming to tell us what to expect this year. In his latest report, we learn that Apple is still planning on launching new AirPods and AirPods Pro models. So, that's the good news.

Luv lets jailbroken Spotify users like or dislike songs from anywhere in iOS

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated April 16, 2022

Many media streaming apps like Spotify provide a like button so that you can tell the app you like what you hear. The app then tries to curate playback based on the feedback you give it.

I enjoy the ability to enhance music playback in this way, as it helps with artist discovery. But it frustrates me that you need to physically be in the Spotify app to like a song, which calls for a multitasking and gesture shenanigans even when you’re trying to get something done in another app.

Walletigious disables the MagSafe wallet animation on pwned iPhone 12 devices

Anthony Bouchard ∙ Updated October 20, 2021

MagSafe is a relatively new feature that ships with the iPhone 12 lineup, and it lets users connect wireless chargers and other accessories such as cases, wallets, and battery packs to their handset with the satisfying click that comes with magnetic attraction.

In many instances, connecting first-party and other licensed MagSafe accessories to a supported iPhone results in an aesthetically pleasing animation. Even Apple’s MagSafe wallets provides an animation of their own that’s distinguished from the one you see when connecting to a MagSafe charger.

iPad Air to be handed out to all incoming freshmen at the University of Nevada, Reno

Evan Selleck ∙ May 27, 2021

Education continues to be an important element to Apple, which usually relies on the company working with educational bodies in some way or another.

Like, for instance, today's announcement from the University of Nevada, Reno. The university says it is teaming up with Apple to provide the incoming freshman class with new iPad models. The goal, according to the announcement, is to develop a "common learning platform" for all students, providing equal access to technology. The university is calling it the "Digital Wolf Pack initiative."